The Science and Engineering Fair for the Willamette Valley

Sponsored by University of Oregon

CWOSE is an opportunity for middle and high school students in the Willamette Valley to engage in the process of science: asking questions, conducting experiments, collecting data, drawing conclusions, and communicating with others about their work. 

CWOSE is part of a large state and national system of science fairs.  It was started in 2004 by David Hackleman, an Oregon State University engineer, and has grown ever since. CWOSE is a judged event, meaning that projects are evaluated by science teachers, university faculty and practicing scientists — and significant  prizes are awarded to winning students, including scholarships to Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, in the case of high school students.

Who is eligible for CWOSE?  High school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 5-8) students in the following Oregon counties:  Yamhill, Marion, Linn, Benton, Tillamook, Polk, Lane, Lincoln, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson.

When is the 2023 fair?   The next CWOSE will take place on February 25, 2023. The detailed schedule from last year is posted below.

Where is the 2023 fair?   Fair locations alternate between the University of Oregon and Willamette University. We are happy to say that CWOSE 2023 is currently planned to be an in-person fair on the UO campus, open to both middle school and high school students!

How can I participate?   Participation in CWOSE requires advance planning:  students and teachers must understand the rules and fill out paperwork appropriately and on time.  The rules and required documents for middle school and high school projects are different.  Follow the links under “Instructions” (a tab on your computer screen or a menu item on some mobile devices) for specifics.  

How do I register? 

• The Adult Sponsor must add each student project through the online “Registration” link (a tab on your computer screen or the last menu item on some mobile devices).
• You or your sponsor must also submit 2 items by mail:
  • the registration fee, which is $10 per project, payable by check made out to “PSU Foundation”
  • your School Registration Form

Please mail both to
NWSES – CWOSE 
P.O Box  311
Banks, OR  97106

When and how do I submit my completed project?

• The deadline for submitting your project online is Wednesday February 8, 2023. By 3 PM on that day, all of the material listed below must be in your Google Folder.
  • High School students (or Middle School students using ISEF forms) should submit:
    • Forms 1, 1A and 1B. The Adult Sponsor’s signature on Form 1 is not required, but the date is. Forms may be in separate files or a single file, but please include the form number(s) in the file name(s)
    • Your Research Plan, preferably as a Google doc or PDF
    • Any additional ISEF forms required by the nature of your project
  • Middle School students using EZ forms should submit:
    • The MSEZ Form, with both student and parent signatures. The Adult Sponsor signature is not required.
    • the Procedures used for your project, including the answers to any Safety Assessment questions that are relevant to your work.
• Please visit the 2023 Requirements page for more detail on both high school and middle school submissions

Award Results

Directions to University of Oregon, Ford Alumni Center

From I-5 North: Take exit 194B to merge onto I-105 W/OR-126 W toward Eugene for 1.3 miles. Take exit 2 Coburg Rd toward downtown Eugene. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Downtown Univ. of Org and merge onto Coburg Rd. After crossing the bridge, stay left and follow signs to University of Oregon, merging onto OR-126 BUS E/ OR-99 S/ Coburg Rd. Road turns into East Broadway/Franklin. Continue straight (East) for 1.1 miles. From I-5 South: Take exit 192 (University of Oregon / Franklin Blvd) and merge onto Franklin Blvd / OR-126-BR W. Continue West for about 1 mile. Arrive at 1720 East 13th Ave.

Parking

The poster presentations and judging will take place in the Ford Alumni Center (1720 E 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403). 

Participants can park temporarily in lot 37 or, just to unload, on 13th Ave in front of the Ford Alumni Center, to unload posters, etc. in the morning. However, this will become paid Event Parking after 10am for the women’s basketball game taking place at noon in the Matthew Knight Arena next door (and lot 37 will be reserved for ADA parking). 

Free parking for the day is available in lots 29A and 29D (labeled as permit parking M-F) near the EMU where we will hold lunch and the awards ceremony (avoid spots marked “reserved at all times”). Note that additional free A-lot spaces are located on University Street. To get there by car, you must get to 18^th St and turn on University St (follow arrows on map).

After 10am, the following lots (see map) will be Event Parking (NOT recommended parking) and sold at $15:  15, 51, 55, 46, 34E, 38, 59A, 58, 33, and the Millrace garage. After 10am, parking on 13th Ave in front of the Alumni Center will be reserved for Athletics.

Anyone with ADA parking placard may park for free in UO pay-to-park (metered) areas, excluding Event Parking lots noted above.

2023 Judge and Student Schedules for Fair Day  

Contacts for CWOSE:                                                                               

Dr. Michael Rockow    CWOSE  Co-Director
Leslie Middle School
Salem, Oregon
Rockow_Michael@salkeiz.k12.or.us
                     
Dr. Bryan Rebar CWOSE Co-Director
College of Arts and Sciences – STEM CORE
University of Oregon
brebar@uoregon.edu